Autumn brings soup weather

Dear Heloise: As the temperature drops, I get a craving for potato soup. Have you got a recipe for this delight? — Lorna H., Hugo, Minn.

Lorna, I do have a wonderful recipe for potato soup. You’ll need:

4 medium potatoes, cubed

1 small onion, chopped 1 tablespoon shortening 1 cup water

2 cups milk

3/4 teaspoon salt Dash of pepper Cook potatoes, onion, shortening and water in a large pot until the potatoes are soft. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Makes about 4 servings. If you like this easy and tasty recipe, you’ll find it and many more in my pamphlet Heloise’s Spectacular Soups. To receive a copy, send $5, along with a stamped (70 cents), self-addressed, long envelope, to: Heloise/ Soups, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 782795001. Or you can order it online at Heloise.com. Remember, if you make a large pot of soup by doubling this recipe, you’ll have enough to freeze for another meal when you’re in a hurry. — Heloise

Soup Hints

Dear Readers: Here are a few hints for soup makers:

1. For cream soups, top off with a dollop of sour cream, yogurt or chopped herbs.

2. For thicker soups, add grated cheese on top before serving.

3. For clear soups, add croutons, wontons or leftover noodles from Chinese takeout.

— Heloise

A Pop of Color

Dear Heloise: A zester isn’t just for lemons and other fruit. Sometimes I’ll use my zester to add some color to a dish by running the zester along the sides of a carrot to get small pieces, which I sprinkle on top. It adds a splash of color. — Bella P., Gilbert, Ariz.

Fizzy Fruit Juice

Dear Heloise: I like fruit juice, but some brands are a little too strong, so I add club soda and enjoy the flavor and the fizz. It’s refreshing, lower in calories and tastes great! — Lynda in Nebraska

A Little Liquor

Dear Heloise: Once in a while a recipe may call for liquor, but it’s usually only a small amount. Instead of buying a large bottle, I go to a liquor store and buy the small bottles like the ones used on an airplane. One or two mini bottles and I have what I need at a much lower price than if I’d bought a larger bottle. — P.L. in Texas

Thumbprint Cookies

Dear Heloise: When I make thumbprint cookies, I use a cork from a wine bottle to make the imprint. It’s the perfect size, keeps my hands clean, and all my cookies are uniform-looking. — Nancy W., Newport, N.H.

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to HeloiseHeloise.com.